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The Peruvian Chronicles: Hats off to Michael Ybarra 1967-2012

The Peruvian Chronicles: Hats off to Michael Ybarra 1967-2012

19 Comments    
July 10th, 2012 by Gil

When I came down from a week in the Cordillera Blanca to learn that Michael had died while soloing in the high Sierra Nevada, my reaction was one of sadness tinged with the stoic quiver of knowing that a friend died doing the things he loved the most. In the brief time I got to know him, I discovered that Michael and I shared an ever-waning appreciation for the romantic intricacies of the human spirit upon which climbing has the ability to shed light; A deep respect for metaphor, the awareness of self which inevitably flowers from the absurd and often dangerous situations we put ourselves in, and the power of that awareness to let us sympathize with our fellow adventurers and those who have risked and thrived in so many other arenas. More »

The Nose, an El Capitan Classic

The Nose, an El Capitan Classic

12 Comments    
June 18th, 2012 by Luke

The one thing that was noticeably absent in 2011 was time spent on El Capitan. This, however, was all about to change. Stein was visiting the SF bay for business and Yosemite was on the menu. The days preceding the weekend were filled with rain so free-climbing was out. We tossed around a multitude of ideas including the Nose, trying to figure out what might be “dry”. It was the first time we had considered climbing route so I didn’t think too much of it. More »

The Infinite Loop Method by Chris Sheridan

The Infinite Loop Method by Chris Sheridan

3 Comments    
February 22nd, 2012 by Gil

The Two Person Continuous Loop System, aka The Infinite Loop Method More »

The Yosemite Experience 2011, Part 2: Life on Half Dome in a day

The Yosemite Experience 2011, Part 2: Life on Half Dome in a day

3 Comments    
December 14th, 2011 by Gil
The first thing I noticed after cropping up from the sea of manzanita was the audible hum coming from above. The whole wall buzzed as if it was guarded by an immense force-field. I imagined all the sounds from Yosemite valley below; gurgling tourists, a cacophony of tongues and automobiles, the cryptic calls of climbers, and the slamming of bear boxes all echoing from the giant whisper dish above…the Northwest Face of Half Dome. More »

Galactic Hitchhiker

Galactic Hitchhiker

5 Comments    
December 10th, 2011 by Josh

Why do you climb?  Does it light the fire in your belly?  Does it make your heart beat faster?  Do you seek adventure, or stay in your comfort zone?  For me, I know that the bigger and harder the better, and I’d rather be on the rock with an amazing friend, than anywhere else on earth… More »

The Yosemite Experience 2011, Part 1: History Lesson

The Yosemite Experience 2011, Part 1: History Lesson

5 Comments    
December 1st, 2011 by Gil
The old men on stage looked 100% geezer…pants way above the belly button, velcro leather sneakers, varicose veins, and hair that had been bone white since the Reagan administration. But this was not story night at the nursing home, More »

Zenyatta Mondatta in Winter

Zenyatta Mondatta in Winter

8 Comments    
February 5th, 2011 by Asa

After a crazy and hectic 1st semester of business school in LA, I felt an overwhelming desire to get myself involved in something non-urban and anti-corporate.  Over eight days spanning New Years 2011, I met up in Yosemite with two up-and-coming young climbers from Boulder, Cheyne Lempe and Colin Simon. More »

The Shield

The Shield

9 Comments    
July 13th, 2010 by Gil
The Plan is conceived
I swore off big wall climbing several years ago after a failed attempt at The Nose left me convinced that light and fast was the only way to climb. I would never use a portaledge, never haul a bag. I would only aid climb when absolutely necessary and choose routes accordingly. Aid climbing was for fatty’s and gearnerds, I would never be caught dead slothing my way up a wall with a mess of wacky gear hanging off every inch of my body looking like Jim Bridwell’s Christamas tree… More »

Half Dome in a…day?

Half Dome in a...day?

15 Comments    
June 30th, 2010 by Roberto

When did I know I had bitten off more than I could chew?  I think it occurred to me about 10 feet into my 25 foot fall…WOOOOOOOOOOO! More »

Free Rider

Free Rider

16 Comments    
November 16th, 2009 by Stein

A couple of weeks ago Luke and I drove into Yosemite with the intention to check out Free Rider — kick its tires, try and get its general idea. Things went better than expected and we ended up climbing up 1/2 of El Cap free in a day. So we figured, “Eh, doing the whole thing can’t be that hard.” When I said that to my friend Traian, he laughed and answered “Yeah right, you guys climbed ‘Easy Rider’. Wait till you get higher.” He was spot on. More »

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